Construction of cDNA library of larvae Megalopygidae family.

Abstract

Brazil has a great biological diversity, which is an almost inexhaustible source of proteins for pharmaceutical and biotechnological interest. Recently, we have identified and isolated proteins of pharmaceutical interest and biotechnology from the hemolymph of larvae of the family Saturnidae (Lonomia obliqua). In these studies, two proteins have a most important concern, one with anti-apoptotic activity (FAPESP 01/09040-8) and a second with an antiviral (FAPESP 06/02108-0). These proteins are currently being expressed in a baculovirus system / insect cells (FAPESP 08/57263-5). The family Megalopygidae in previous studies also showed the presence of possible proteins of biotechnological interest, which makes this caterpillar of high interest. Other work is being done by our team in order to identify, isolate and purify these proteins caterpillars Megalopygidae family, comparing them with those already obtained from the family Saturniidae. The present study aims to construct a cDNA library from the integument of caterpillars Megalopygidae family. As a result, the transcripts present in this organ will enable future production of recombinant proteins in sufficient quantities to study the biological activities of proteins of medical and biotechnological